A Class recall help.

[superally]

Thanks in advance to anybody who can help/advise me with this.
Took my car to dealership after recall for a faulty steering issue, related to the clock spring (excuse my ignorance as i have no mechanical knowledge at all, hence asking you guys).
Mercedes statement says, the car is safe to drive, when the red air bag warning light comes on, contact dealership immediately, which i have done. The dealers say they can do nothing about the clock spring until they have diagnosed and corrected the reason why the airbag light is on, saying it is unrelated. Read a few articles on Auto Express etc, suggesting it is related. The RAC guy, said whatever it is that has come loose causing the clicking, has knocked out the airbag light, he was also the one who told me about the recall.
How much of an argument do i have with the dealership charging me £330 for this?
Once again thanks for any help and advice.
2015 A Class 180 sport with 44k miles.

 

[RChiv]

Was the AirBag light on when you took the car in or has it appeared since you got it back.
The clock spring keeps all the electrics to the wheel switches, horn, audio etc and the Aribag connected when you turn the wheel.
I am surprised that MB say it is safe to drive with the Red light illuminated as it is a straight MOT failure.

Roger

 

[markjay]

Is your car's VIN actually listed in the recall?

Keeping in mind that a recall usually affects only certain production runs.

If your car's VIN isn't on the recall list, then you'd be wasting your time (and money) with the dealer - take the car to a good specialist instead.

 

[superally]

Yes it was on before i took it in. As soon as the clicking noise started I went to pull over, as i did the airbag light came on. Called out the RAC, who then told me about the recall, and why the airbag light came on. Mercedes statement says, the car is safe to drive- tho as soon as the airbag warning light appears contact your dealer ( service partner). My issue is, the dealer is saying the airbag warning light is un related, and now want £330. I just don't get why they are saying this airbag light is unrelated.

 

[superally]

Yes it is.

 

[RChiv]

Yes it was on before i took it in. As soon as the clicking noise started I went to pull over, as i did the airbag light came on. Called out the RAC, who then told me about the recall, and why the airbag light came on. Mercedes statement says, the car is safe to drive- tho as soon as the airbag warning light appears contact your dealer ( service partner). My issue is, the dealer is saying the airbag warning light is un related, and now want £330. I just don't get why they are saying this airbag light is unrelated.

You need to get codes read for this. It may not be related to the clock spring as that is only related to the wheel airbag. The problem could be related to any one of the fitted airbags. Do they say what is required to correct it.

Roger

 

[superally]

Not as yet, tho when i collect the car i will ask for a detailed report, ( since you are suggesting i need codes, i will ask for this also) which i assume they should be able to provide. Anything i get i will post back to you, and once again, thank you for your help and time in replying to me.

 

[Petrol Pete]

OP. Clear this up for us please. Did you receive a letter from Mercedes Benz for the recall. Yes or No ? an RAC man telling you your car is subject to a recall is not a recall.

 

[superally]

A letter was sent to my old address, which i never received. After calling Mercedes they confirmed the recall.

 

[Petrol Pete]

I am not sure how my recall letter (sunroof) found me , a 14 year old car with God knows how many former owners. In the just 3 years I have owned it I have never taken the car to a main dealer and certainly never given any of my details to Mercedes Benz , I have lived at the same address for a few decades though. Who knows ..someone is watching me .

At least you know the recall is official. When I finally get round to taking it to MB for the sunroof check (I can't see it flying off the car anytime soon , it has had 148500 miles and 14 years to do that) I certainly will not be parting with a single penny to check/sort it out. Good luck with this, I hope it all works out.

 

[Dippo]

If it's a safety recall then the manufacturer has to get a list of current owners from the DVLA and try to contact them.

 

[markjay]

A letter was sent to my old address, which i never received. After calling Mercedes they confirmed the recall.

Then what the dealer did does not sound right.

I would have expected the dealer to tell you that they will run a diagnostic test, if the fault is indeed the result of the recall, it will be fixed for free, if the fault is found to be unrelated, then you will be charged a diastolic fee and given the option to proceed with repair (which in most cases will mean that the diagnostic fee will be dropped).

If they have already run the diagnostic test on the car, then they should tell you what are their findings i.e. what exactly is wrong with the car and what they are proposing to do to fix it and get your authorisation to proceed with the repair.